Eastside Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

41.5 feet tall, 350,000 pounds and able to withstand a quarter million pounds of wave energy: Walton Lighthouse
41.5 feet tall, 350,000 pounds and able to withstand a quarter million pounds of wave energy: Walton Lighthouse
Harbor beach
Sunrise at Walton Lighthouse
Evening stroll at the Seabright Beach. If you are lucky, you might run into Matt performing amazing bike tricks by the lighthouse. #LifeAtExpedia #sunset #goldenBeach #blueSky

Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Eastside Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages

Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages

3.5 out of 5
401 Johans Beach Dr Santa Cruz CA
The price is AU$194 per night from 22 Jan to 23 Jan
AU$194
22 Jan - 23 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (575 reviews)
All-around wonderful experience! The location is great, the rooms are clean and well-designed (and quiet!) and the bed was super comfy. Be sure to go to Cole's BBQ for some ribs. I will be back!

Reviewed on 23 Dec 2025

Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages
Hitching Post Studios Inn

Hitching Post Studios Inn

2 out of 5
1717 Soquel Avenue Santa Cruz CA
Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (317 reviews)
The room was just as expected. We chose this hotel because of location, price & the kitchen. Our son is attending UCSC, and we wanted to find a hotel that wouldn’t break the bank & allow us to not spend a fortune at restaurants. Thank you. We will be back.

Reviewed on 1 Jan 2026

Hitching Post Studios Inn
Large Santa Cruz Beach House. Steps to beach. Pets welcome. Family. Reunions.

Large Santa Cruz Beach House. Steps to beach. Pets welcome. Family. Reunions.

Santa Cruz CA
The price is AU$1,994 per night from 21 Jan to 22 Jan
AU$1,994
21 Jan - 22 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (278 reviews)
Perfect home for big families. Well stocked and clean. Beautiful location. Host was very informative on the workings of the house. The layout of the house is a bit odd, but it worked for our group of 10. Space for everyone.

Reviewed on 31 Dec 2025

Large Santa Cruz Beach House. Steps to beach. Pets welcome. Family. Reunions.
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is AU$197 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
AU$197
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,173 reviews)
Great staff

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2026

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

3.5 out of 5
7500 Old Dominion Court Aptos CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$183 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
AU$183
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Aptos. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,036 reviews)
Very clean. We were switched seamlessly to a room with a bath. Breakfast food was good.

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2026

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Chaminade Resort & Spa

Chaminade Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
1 Chaminade Ln Santa Cruz CA
The price is AU$264 per night from 21 Jan to 22 Jan
AU$264
21 Jan - 22 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
Hidden gem in the mountains

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Chaminade Resort & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Eastside Santa Cruz

Evening stroll at the Seabright Beach. If you are lucky, you might run into Matt performing amazing bike tricks by the lighthouse. #LifeAtExpedia #sunset #goldenBeach #blueSky

Upper Seabright

While Upper Seabright isn't home to many top sights, Santa Cruz Harbor and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk are some notable places to visit nearby.

Upper Seabright
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Midtown

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Midtown and surrounding area, you can visit Ocean Street and Pacific Avenue.

Midtown
Evening stroll at the Seabright Beach. If you are lucky, you might run into Matt performing amazing bike tricks by the lighthouse. #LifeAtExpedia #sunset #goldenBeach #blueSky

Seabright

While visiting Seabright, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Cruz Harbor and Seabright Beach.

Seabright
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Bananna Belt

Bananna Belt might not have many top sights, but Ocean Street and Pacific Avenue are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Bananna Belt
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Lower Ocean

Lower Ocean might not have many top sights, but Pacific Avenue and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Lower Ocean
CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue

Beach Hill - Beach Flats

While there might not be top attractions in Beach Hill - Beach Flats, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Main Beach and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.

Beach Hill - Beach Flats


Eastside Santa Cruz Travel Guide

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